Nursing Home Design Guide
2006
2. Method for Estimating Numbers of
3.3.5 Systems Considerations
Bathing Suites
N/A
Residents have individualized care
plans that identify the numbers of baths
3.3.6 Miscellaneous
or showers per person per week.
Expectations for baths appear to be
1. Sample Performance Criteria for Tub
increasing as a means of providing skin
Selection
care.
Recumbent tubs may provide the most
Numbers of Baths
options, when only one model will be
The provision of in-room showers
used in conjunction with a supine
has not precluded the need for
shower trolley and appropriately sized
bathing suites for typical residents.
shower area. Recumbent tubs may
have advantages for transfer,
Particular sub-populations, as
identified in the program of care,
hydrotherapy and body core
may use bathing suite facilities less
temperature. The basic assisted tub
frequently warranting a different
should:
calculation.
Time
Have a door opening to avoid
elevated lifting unless resident users
The assumption that each bath and
are transported and bathed in supine
clean-up requires 30 minutes, and
position
that baths are not taken during meal
Have fast fill and drain modes
times, leaves a window of 8 hours
Enable residents to either sit or
per day over an interval of perhaps
recline in the unit.
12 hours. This computes to 16 slots
of bathing time per suite per day.
Portable shower trolleys may be
Applying this information and goals
preferable to providing elongated tubs.
for the frequency of showering or
Verify fill rates for elongated tubs and
bathing should help determine the
number of bathing suites needed.
whether use of a shower trolley is more
Ratio Proposed
effective.
Plan bathing suites should be
As applicable, check on the pieces
provided at a ratio of about 1:20 to
required for supine bathing and
1:24 and fixtures at about 1:12 or
storage implications.
portion thereof per resident.
Even though some shower trolleys
partially fold, space must be
provided for storage when other
users will be in the bathing unit.
A handheld shower attachment may be
useful for hair washing, rinsing the
resident, and for cleaning the tub.
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